Commemorative 100-ruble note unveiled for 2018 FIFA World Cup

The Central Bank of the Russian Federation, also known as the Bank of Russia, has presented a new 100-ruble bill in commemoration of the 2018 Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) World Cup, which is scheduled to open within the next few weeks in Russia.

The front side of the polymer banknote, equal to 1.25 US dollars, depicts a boy looking at legendary Soviet goalkeeper Lev Yashin, who is widely regarded as the greatest in the history of soccer, diving to stop the ball.

A soccer ball with an embossed map of Russia rests on the reverse side of the bill. The images on both sides are vertically-oriented.

Among the security features of the new note are holographic images, which change colors when brought under ultraviolet (UV) light, micro-images of fans as well as micro-names of the host cities.

The features are all listed in the Quick Response Code on the bottom right corner of the bill.

The Bank of Russia has stated that a total of 20 million commemorative bills will enter circulation.

“This year our country will host a great event, which is the World Cup. Therefore, the Bank of Russia decided to issue a commemorative banknote dedicated to this occasion. By tradition, its face value will be 100 rubles,” the Bank of Russia Deputy Chairwoman, Olga Skorobogatova, said at a news conference in the Russian capital city of Moscow on Tuesday.

During the official 2018 FIFA World Cup draw ceremony at Kremlin State Palace on December 1 last year, the Iran men’s national football team, domestically known as Team Melli, joined the Portugal national football team, nicknamed A Selecção, Spain’s La Furia Roja and Atlas Lions of Morocco in the preliminary round of the tournament.

The host nation, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Uruguay form Group A in the upcoming quadrennial international sports event.

France is drawn in Group C, and is pitted against Australia, Peru and Denmark.

Argentina, Iceland, Croatia and Nigeria are drawn in Group D.

Group E consists of Brazil, Switzerland, Costa Rica and Serbia.

While the 2014 FIFA World Cup champion Germany, Mexico, Sweden and South Korea shape Group F, Belgium, Panama, Tunisia and England are in Group G.

Group H has Poland, Senegal, Colombia and Japan.

The 2018 FIFA World Cup will take place from June 14 to July 15. Russia will open the event against Saudi Arabia in a Group A fixture at Moscow's Luzhniki Stadium.

A total of 64 matches will be played in 12 venues located in 11 cities.

Iran will start its World Cup campaign against Morocco at Krestovsky Stadium in Saint Petersburg on June 15.

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